Windows Users Passwords

I reaad all the time that I should absolutely have a password for my windows user? Why is this necessary?

Also, will this require me to log-in at the Welcome screen on boot-up rather than bypassing it?

 

its better to have a password yes, especially when using a mobile computer. It can help to deter hackers if the system is set up with limited accounts instead of administrators.

Yes, once you have a password, you will have to log in at the welcome screen, no longer bypassing it.

 

I have ZoneAlarm running as a firewall does this help my case?

Unless the threat is pretty significant I'd prefer to take that little bit of risk. Maybe I'm underestimating the amount of hacking out there though, I dunno.

 

If you to keep say financial records on it, a password is recommended. Most likely a thief wouldn't care about your data, but you never know.

 

the question you should ask yourself is whether you want anybody to be able to start your laptop and get right into your computer because you didn't setup a password on it. if you're cool with that, then you don't need a password.

 

I'm cool with that because I don't let people I don't trust use my computers.

 

I suggest putting a password on your harddrive upon bootup for all notebook computers.

This will help protect your sensitive materials on your harddrive.

Cheers,
Mike

 

For all of you that are 'cool with that', remember that someone can walk off with your laptop. I had a freind who had his stolen from under his ass - literally! It was in his laptop bag under his chair in a restaurant in NYC. Without a password, anyone can log in. From there, think about any websites that you go to where you 'remember' the login. Those websites are in your Favorites or history, and the passwords in cookies on the harddrive.

I would strongly recommend a password, and at least using NTFS to keep people from accessing your harddrive by booting off a simple DOS floppy. I, personally, go as far as encrypting my "C:\Documents and Settings\ UserID" directory, where my 'My Documents' folder is as well as all personal settings.

 

... willingly

 

Bummer.

Actually, NTFS can be accessed with a simple DOS floppy as well, using the NTFSPro TSR.

Good practice, I guess.

 

"Actually, NTFS can be accessed with a simple DOS floppy as well, using the NTFSPro TSR."

...which is why I encrypt my personal files / settings as well. Though NTFSPro TSR (and I'm sure there are others) can access the drive, it requires an extra step than simply creating a boot disk. The (WinXP) encryption ensures that only someone logged into the OS under my ID can access my files, and is invisible in day to day usage.

 

Give me 5 minutes with any laptop and i can crack it with linux..........then again the basic steps taken to secure a laptop are most good for 99% of those that are stolen.

Most people take the laptops for the money/hardware and care less about the data. As was pointed out the kicker is if you have financial data (bank accounts, taxes, credit card, etc) accounts that you manage online. If you select to have your user id and password remembered, anyone who takes off with the laptop will have access to this info.

I use me laptop for everything. I also use it for DJ'ing when we have parties. I have my account and files completely locked down and have create a basic guest account for anyone who uses it.

If you want to secure a yourlaptop with a password, but you don't want to have to login (i.e. on boot you want it to goto your desktop - thus bypassing the login screen), this can be accomplished with the Tweek Tools for XP. This will at least allow you to secure your files on a network based setting, however anyone who has your laptop in hand, will still have access to everything.